The Best of Central Europe with Poland

Our exploration of Prague continues with a walk along the Charles Bridge with a view of Prague Castle, down the streets of Mala Strana, to the the romantic island of Kampa, around Old Town, and into the Jewish Quarter.

We'll have some free time before we depart for Brno, the second largest city in Czech Republic and one of the oldest cities in Central Europe. When we arrive, we'll see Brno's most important monument, the world-unique functionalist gem – Villa Tugendhat. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, designed by Mies van der Rohe, is a monument of modern architecture. After our visit we'll check into our hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

This morning, meet our local guide for a tour of Brno Underground. We'll explore the city's medieval history, and discover the maze of corridors, dark corners and entertaining exhibitions. Afterward, we'll visit Castle Lednice, to admire its Neo-Gothic style of one of the most visited monuments in Czech Republic and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We'll continue to Vienna, the “City of Waltz” and the cultural, economic and political center of Austria. Upon arrival we'll enjoy a panoramic drive to view the "Ring" where important sights of Vienna are. Our drive includes a stop at Belvedere Palace for an exterior visit before we continue to the hotel for check-in and evening at leisure.

Our day starts with a visit to St. Stephen's Cathedral, located at the heart of the city. One of Austria's most beloved landmarks, this limestone cathedral features colorful roof tiles that form the Royal and Imperial double-headed eagle and the coat of arms of the city of Vienna. Just a short walk away is the Hofburg Palace, a 13th century palace that characterizes the opulence of the Habsburg dynasty. We'll enjoy the afternoon at leisure and come together for a special dinner in a typical Viennese wine taverns called the "Heuriger".

This morning, we'll visit the nearby Café Residenz where we'll experience a strudel-making demonstration and tasting. Our next visit is the Imperial Palace of Schönbrunn. Feauturing 8th-century architecture, interiors, and vast gardens. this palace is among the most impressive baroque structures in Europe. After our visit, we'll have more free time to explore Vienna or consider an optional excursions to Vienna Woods.

Today we say goodbye to Vienna and depart for Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. For centuries, this city has been famous for its charm and beauty. The beautifully restored old town with its winding lanes and medieval courtyards is nestled between the steep Castle Hill and the Danube River. On a guided walking tour we'll explore the historic, lively pedestrian streets of this charming city where local street vendors offer regional gifts. Later, we'll cross into Hungary, and end the day in Hévíz, located on Lake Balaton. Lake Balaton is Hungary's stunning and iconic lake. As one of the largest lakes in Central Europe, it can be mistaken for a sea. In Heviz, we'll check-into the hotel and enjoy dinner.

This morning we'll explore the scenic shores of Balaton Lake and enjoy a wine tasting in Badacsonytomaj. This region holds some of Hungary's best vineyards and thanks to the surrounding hills, there are different microclimates producing a variety of wines. Here, we'll switch to jeeps to drive to the cellar for the wine tasting. Afterwards, we'll have a short visit of the Tihany Abbey and Balatonfured. Later, we'll continue on to Budapest where we will learn about Hungary's history during the Soviet Occupation from a local who has vivid memory of those days. After hotel check in, the evening is free for us to enjoy dinner on our own.

This morning, our local guide will introduce us to Budapest’s fascinating history and sights. We'll enjoy a breathtaking, panoramic view from the lookout terraces of the Fisherman’s Bastion, located on Castle Hill. We'll also see Matthias Church, which was used for centuries for the coronations of Hungarian kings. This afternoon, we'll set sail on a leisurely one-hour cruise on the romantic Danube River to take in city views from the water. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure or consider an optional tour to the famous Szechenyi Thermal Spa. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for dinner in a typical Csarda restaurant.

After breakfast, we'll say farewell to Hungary and depart for Poland, stopping along hte way to visit the Wood Church in Hronsek, Slovakia. We'll enjoy an independent lunch in Banska Bystrica and arrive in Kraków late this afternoon. In Kraków, we'll have a panoramic orientation tour before dinner at our hotel.

We'll start our sightseeing tour this morning with a visit to Wawel Hill, including a view of the Royal Castle and a visit to the Royal Cathedral. Next, we'll enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town including the Main Market Square, Renaissance Cloth Hall, and St. Mary's Church. Finally, we'll explore the Jewish quarter of the city. The rest of the day is at leisure. With our free time we can go for a stroll, browse through the shops, sample some “sernik” or “szarlotka”, or simply relax.

This morning, we head to Warsaw. En route, we'll visit Auschwitz-Birkenau, the notorious concentration camp from World War II and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Later, we'll stop in Czestochowa to visit the Yasna Gora Monastery, known for the blackened picture of the Virgin Mary, popularly called the "Black Madonna." We'll arrive in Poland's capital city, Warsaw, late this afternoon and check in at our hotel.

This 700-year-old capital city is a symbol of Polish nationhood and the will to survive against great odds. Our sightseeing tour includes a drive along the famous Royal Route from magnificent Castle Square to Lazienki Park and Palace, the summer residence of the last king of Poland. We'll pass by the Palace of Science and Culture (known as the “wedding cake”), the Saxon Gardens, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Monument to the Heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto, and Barbican. Our exploration of this city continues with a walking tour of the Old Town, Old Market Square and St. John’s Cathedral. The rest of the day is free for shopping, a stroll through the city, relaxing in one of the many parks or gardens. Tonight, we'll enjoy a Chopin Recital before the farewell dinner.

Our tour comes to an end today after breakfast.